CHAPTER DISCUSSION: Chamber of Secrets Chapter 17: The Heir of Slytherin

[nikkalmati]

No: HPFGUIDX 189297



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> 
> 1. How is the magical diary in CoS like a modern Muggle device that young
> (and not so young) use? Do you think this was intended as a warning?
> 

Nikkalmati

It does remind us of the internet and such, but I don't think JKR could have anticipated the current state of affairs.  It is a valid general warning of the "don't trust strangers" variety all children hear from adults. 

Nikkalmati

> 2. How does Riddle's comment fit with the theme of secret keeping we see
> throughout the Harry Potter series?

Nikkalmati

Everyone keeps secrets (except perhaps Sybil), but it usually leads to problems.  In a way secrets are a plot device.  For DD it is a way of life.  However, remember at this age girls love secrets and diaries and imaginary boyfriends, so it fits well with Ginny's age and personality.

Nikkalmati

> 
> 3. Riddle says he grew stronger on the diet of deepest fears and darkest
> secrets. What dark creature does this recall? Is this also the nature of a
> Horcrux? Did the locket in DH do the same thing?

Nikkalmati

I have always been a bit confused about what Dementors feed upon.  Happy thoughts drive them away, but they feed on sadness and make it spread?  Riddle does seem more like a Horcrux which identifies your weak points and magnifies your fears (rather than sadness).  How dark could Ginny's secrets have been at that age?

Nikkalmati  
> 
> 4. How did Ginny hide her feather-covered, paint-splattered robes? Did
> House Elves clean them without telling anyone?

Nikkalmati

I tend to agree that the House Elves would not think twice about anything they found on the student's robes and could probably clean anything.

Nikkalmati
> 
> 5. When the Basilisk appears, Fawkes flew off Harry's shoulder. Harry
> wanted to cry, "Don't leave me!" Compare this to Harry's experience in DH when
> he goes to face Voldemort in the forest.

Nikkalmati

In COS Harry felt defenseless and alone.  He was much younger, of course.  He had no plan.  In the forest, Harry was afraid but he had a purpose and a mission.

Nikkalmati
> 
> 6. Several times Riddle's expression is described as "hungry." Young
> Severus's expression was described the same way in DH. What do you make of this?

Nikkalmati

Not too much.  JKR probably was using the same images to express desire for something the character wants very much.

Nikkalmati


> 
> 7. Riddle comments on how similar he and Harry are. We can make several
> comparisons: Harry and Tom; Severus and Tom; Severus and Harry. What is JKR up
> to with this Trio?

Nikkalmati

We could see them as examples of what can happen to adults as the result of an unsatisfactory childhood.  Harry, of course, overcame everything.  Severus took the wrong path, but reversed himself.  Tom just went to hell.  Like the good, the bad and the ugly - only it was the good, the ugly, and the bad.


Nikkalmati
> 
> 8. What questions do you have?
> 
Nikkalmati

Tom talks about Hagrid keeping werewolf cubs under his bed.  What does that mean?  Werewolves are humans who, ike Lupin, have human children, such as, Teddy.  Their children do not transform and they would be human most of the time in any case.  What was JKR thinking?

Nikkalmati
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